Rekha Sapkota

Cucurbit Fruit Fly (Bactrocera Cucurbitae Coq.) in Summer Squash: Damage Assessment and Management Options Rekha Sapkota

Cucurbit fruit fly (CFF), Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coq.), is one of the most important pests of cucurbits, and squash (Cucurbit pepo L.) is highly prone to damage by this pest. Because of the difficulties associated with the control of this pest by chemical insecticides, farmers experienced great losses in cucurbits. A participatory field experiment conducted to assess losses and to measure efficacy of different management options in squash revealed that the possibility to control CFF by using local botanical pesticide ?Jholmal'. The data showed that 9.7% female flowers were damaged by CFF; however, the CFF preferred young and immature fruits. Nearly 26% fruits were dropped or damaged just after set, and 14.04% were recorded as unmarketable during harvesting, giving only 38.8% fruits of marketable quality. Jholmal significantly influenced fruit size (895 g), fresh yield (62.8 t/ha)and reduced fruit fly infestation (29%) as compared to that of control 613 g, 23.52 t/ha and 54.3%, respectively. This finding should open an alternative way to address CFF through organic approach. It should be especially useful to researcher, grower and ultimately the consumers.